Shoo Shoo best falafel NYC — Image Courtesy Shoo Shoo

Post Overview: Best falafel in NYC

I took a trip last year to Egypt, and while I was there I fell in love with falafel. I already liked them, but the trip poured gasoline on the fire and transformed an interest in the dish into a full blown obsession.

For those of you who have yet to try the Middle-Eastern staple, it’s a fried ball of mashed chickpeas seasoned by expert hands.

Luckily I live in New York City, a place where all corners of the globe come together onto a tiny island. It was the very next day when I started intensely researching where I could find the best falafel in NYC.

I hadn’t been online for more than 30 minutes when my stomach started growling! And over the past 12 months I’ve been searching for the best falafel in NYC and am here to share my findings with you.

So whether you’re a local craving to find the best falafel in NYC or a visitor with an insatiable tooth for trying new foods, this post is for you. If you’re not hungry now, you will be while reading this!

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Best Falafel in NYC

#15. Oasis

Oasis in Williamsburg is the spot folks go to when they want to get the most bang for their buck. Not only do they serve some of the best falafel in NYC, it’s one of the most affordable spots too.

The menu is full of flavorful options and the portions are more than enough to keep you full for hours. Offering falafel in the form of pita or plate, I tend to always go plate so I can savor each item on the plate individually.

Another reason Oasis is considered one of the top spots to grab falafel in NYC is because everything is made to order. Meaning your dish will always come out fresh!

There is plenty of seating inside this NYC falafel shop and price for the quality is too good to pass up on.

Address: 168 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#14. Operation: Falafel

I mean with a playful name like that, how can you not be considered on a list of best spots for falafel in NYC?

Originally from Dubai, Operation Falafel has made way to the Big Apple and we are all better for it. Serving 100% halal food, the dishes here speak for themselves.

The pita bread is fresh and pillowy and they even offer stuffed falafel. Yes, you read that right! You can order a two-piece stuffed falafel side that comes filled with sautéed onions, sumac and a hint of chili, topped with sesame seeds.

The space itself has a cool contemporary vibe full of fun wall art and stenciled phrases on the walls. Everything is made in house at this NYC falafel spot and the team behind the machine is quick, efficient and extremely knowledgable.

If you’re anything like me and struggle picking just one item, I suggest ordering the “mix your small pita pair” where you are given the choice of two pita sandwiches for around $12! Also do yourself a favor and order a side of the spicy hummus, it’s some of the best in the game.

Address: 232 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

#13. Moshe’s Falafel

If there’s one thing living in New York City has taught me it’s that food truck should never be glossed over. In fact, don’t be shocked when you see food trucks like Moshe’s boasting lines because they serve some of the best falafel in NYC.

The menu is simple and unfussy offering about 10 items or less. The falafel is the perfect amount of crispy on the outside and the inside is smooth and full of flavor. You can order a full pita or a half, both of which come with fries and leave you feeling very satisfied.

The food cart is located on the corner of 6th Ave. and West 46th St. in Midtown and if time is not on your side I suggest avoiding the area during lunch time. Seems like everyone in the neighborhood heard they sell some of the best falafel in NYC and want to find out for themselves. 😉

Something to keep in mind: You’ll want to bring cash. Moshe’s Falafel accepts Zelle but there is an additional charge.

Address: 6 Avenue and 46 street SE Corner, New York, NY 10036

Moshe’s falafel
best falafel NYC — Image Courtesy Moshe’s Falafel

#12. Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine

When one door closes, another one opens. This couldn’t be more true than at Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine, a restaurant that came to fruition after an Egyptian curtain store failed.

Owner Omar Abouzaid transformed the store into a restaurant, serving his childhood favorites from Egypt. This includes tender schwarma, kabob, and the best falafel in NYC.

Slightly crunchy on the outside and rich in flavor on the inside, the falafel has a way of lingering in your mind, striking you with a craving at random hours of the day.

Luckily Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine has four locations ready to serve you the best falafel in NYC. And before you leave don’t forget to order the baklava, it’s the perfect sweet-treat after your meal.

Address: 154 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022

Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine
best falafel NYC — Image Courtesy Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine

#11. Hummus Kitchen

The Hummus Kitchen has served as a guilty pleasure of mine for the last year. With two locations in Manhattan, it’s old reliable when it comes to some of the best falafel in NYC.

Although hummus is the restaurant’s main focus, its falafel doesn’t necessarily get the backburner. You can either order it by itself, as an appetizer or in pita tacos which taste even better than they sound.

The charming restaurants make fun little date night spots too. My husband and I have made it a ritual to stop by and enjoy the best falafel in NYC at Hummus Kitchen once a month.

Address: 1613 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028 & 768 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

#10. Manousheh Bleecker

Founded in 2013, Ziyad Hermez was eager to introduce New Yorkers to the popular street food he grew up eating. Hermez took it upon himself to create a space where Lebanese cuisine could flourish, with a focus on manousheh.

Manousheh is essentially the Lebanese version of flat breads/pizzas. Typically has a crispy exterior with a slightly chewy interior and is topped with oil and za’atar. I consider this a non-negotiable when visiting so make sure to add it to your order!

Everything is baked in house and many of the ingredients used here are imported from Lebanon. Truthfully, this NYC falafel spot feels like a hidden gem and I want to keep it to myself, but I can’t help myself from singing their praises.

The atmosphere is electric, between the incredible staff and lively Lebanese music prepare to find yourself visiting this establishment every other week. The service is quick and the food is great, what more could you ask for when searching for the best falafel in NYC?

I recommend ordering the cocktail manousheh (half za’atar & half jibneh) as well as the falafel manousheh. I can’t decide which is better so you’ll have to try both and decide for yourself!

Address: 193 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

#9. Sido Falafel & More

If you ever find yourself wandering the Upper West Side and in need of a quick bite, I can’t suggest Sido Falafel & More, enough.

The friendly, fast-paced service along with the high-quality products and dishes served here always seems to knock it out of the park.

Serving some of the best falafel in NYC, you can walk away feeling stuffed with a falafel sandwich that only cost you $8! Or you can take it up a notch and order the falafel platter which comes with tabouli salad and baba ghannouj for less than $15.

This NYC falafel shop may be small in size but the flavor each dish packs makes up for any doubts a naysayer might have. It’s the perfect hole-in-the-wall spot to grab some of the best falafel in New York City.

Address: 267 Columbus Ave #11, New York, NY 10023

Sido Falafel & More
best falafel nyc — Image Courtesy Sido Falafel & More

#8. Shoo Shoo

Shoo Shoo is a charming Mediterranean restaurant serving a Tel Aviv inspired menu with incredible dips. Opened in 2018 the restaurant offers organic grass-fed fare and some of the best falafel in NYC.

All the dishes here will have your tastebuds dancing. You’ll want to order everything on the menu so make sure to visit with your friends in tow.

This NYC falafel spot offers plenty of outdoor seating no matter the time of year. During the winter heaters keep the stalls nice and toasty so you’re able to enjoy some of the best falafel in NYC in peace.

If you’re torn between options, the staff is really helpful and loves to provide recommendations.

Local’s Tip: To the side of the restaurant you’ll notice a passageway headed towards the basement of Shoo Shoo. This is actually a speakeasy! Make sure to check it out after eating some of the best falafel in NYC.

Address: 371 Broome St. &, 173 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

#7. Zooba

Zooba is a Cairo based chain offering authentic Egyptian food at a fast and casual pace. The portions at this NYC falafel shop are filling and the prices are affordable.

The falafel is flatter than your typical ball shape but is packed with seasoning and flavors. A benefit this Egyptian restaurant has that not many others offer is the ability to self-order. There are self-ordering kiosks set up where folks can scroll the menu and carefully choose what they’d like to eat.

It might sound silly to some, but it’s a great way to dip your toes into foods you may not be too familiar with. As far as the atmosphere goes, Zooba is bursting with color. The walls are covered in posters of the menu items making it that more tempting to order everything while waiting in line.

While you order yourself some of the best falafel NYC has to offer, don’t forget to order the dish that put Zooba on the map — Koshari

Koshari is Egyptian fried rice, vermicelli and brown lentils topped with a zesty tomato sauce, garlic vinegar and garnished with chickpeas and crispy fried onions and a must-try!

Address: 100 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

Zooba
best falafel NYC — Image Courtesy Zooba

#6. King of Falafel

Opened in 2002, King of Falafel (KoF) has been a long-standing staple in Queens and seems like everyone in the neighborhood got the memo. Constantly boasting a line, the affordable NYC falafel shop churns out delicious meals you can always count on.

The shop itself is vibrant and full of life and the service is always top-notch. Often times you’re greeted with a falafel ball as soon as you enter the shop. Speaking of which, the shape of the ball isn’t your typical sphere. Instead KoF’s falafel is more oval shaped like a mini corndog.

What started as a food truck trying to expose New Yorkers to authentic street food quickly expanded to multiple locations in the city serving some of the best falafel in NYC.

Everything is made from scratch and the ingredients used are of the highest caliber. There are many mouth-watering meals that make up the menu at KoF, including beef schwarma sandwiches, chicken kebabs and falafel platters.

One things for certain when visiting this popular NYC falafel shop, you can count on leftovers with the portions they serve!

Address: 3015 Broadway, Queens, NY 11106

King of Falafel
Best falafel NYC — Image Courtesy King of Falafel

#5. Nish Nush

Nish Nush is one of the best places in NYC to get falafel for a handful of reasons. The staff, the food and the laid-back environment all get a 10 out of 10 rating for those searching for delicious vegetarian food.

Ordering the falafel trio platter is non-negotiable. The platter comes with three different types of falafel, salad, hummus and a bunch of veggies. This NYC falafel spot is kosher and the portions are more than filling.

These falafels are some of the greatest I’ve ever had in New York City. The variety of flavors and textures offered by each item on the platter makes for an enjoyable meal. Plus there is enough food for two people to share so bring your friends.

Address: 88 Reade St, New York, NY 10013 & 41 John St, New York, NY 10038

#4. Mamoun’s Falafel

Mamoun’s Falafel was founded in 1972, long before there were Middle Eastern food carts lining Manhattan’s streets. Back then, this hole in the wall restaurant was one of a kind and helped introduce this popular dish to America.

Located between the Comedy Cellar and Cafe Reggio, Mamoun’s Falafel is a part of New York City’s history, too. In fact, it’s the oldest falafel restaurant in NYC.

Mamoun’s is unique in that it primarily uses parsley, which gives the falafel a unique green color.

Their signature sandwiches are some of the most popular cheap eats in New York City. For $6.50 New Yorkers can order the classic, which comes with falafel, hummus, lettuce, tomato, onions and tahini sauce wrapped in a pita bread pocket.

Another reason Mamoun’s is one of the best spots for falafel in NYC is thanks to their late-night hours.

This NYC falafel shop is a popular late night munchies spot since they are open until 3 AM. A benefit that is sure to be appreciated by the college students and for folks who had a little too much wine one night.

Address: Multiple locations in New York City

Cheap Eats NYC — Image Courtesy Mamoun’s Falafel

#3. Hummus Place

Originally established in the East Village in 2004, Hummus Place is now located on the Upper West Side. This New York City falafel shop, which initially only offered three hummus dishes, has since grown and is now regarded as one of the best falafel restaurants in NYC

The menu consists of a variety of fresh and healthy options. In fact, the majority of the menu is gluten-free and vegan. A clear standout is the shakshuka — the tanginess and subtle spice go together flawlessly.

But since this post is about the best falafel in NYC, I highly recommend ordering the falafel sandwich. Served with more fries than you’ll ever need (is that even possible?) the meal is both filling and extremely satisfying.

The fresh made hummus is some of the best in the city and shouldn’t be glossed over.

Address: 305 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023

#2. Taim

One of the best places to get falafel in NYC is at Taim, where there are countless customizing possibilities. You can choose between a pita or a bowl, which you can then stuff to your heart’s content. And don’t worry, folks—there is no space for cutting corners here!

Pitas are overflowing, and bowls are completely full. In addition to the traditional falafel balls and eggplant frequently seen at other restaurants, Taim is one of the few falafel shops in NYC that also offers meat alternatives. Those who can’t resist meat have the option of meatballs or chicken shawarma.

This Mediterranean restaurant has all the fixing you’d want for a falafel sandwich and don’t even get me started on the sides. Between the seasoned pita with tzatziki and the house fries, you’ll find yourself in a pickle trying to pick just one.

Address: Multiple locations in New York City

#1. Tamam

Located on the Upper East Side, Tamam is the place to be if you’re searching for a quick and affordable vegan meal. It also doesn’t hurt that they sell some of the best falafel in NYC. The quality of the ingredients used at Tamam are consistently fresh and always hit the spot.

At Tamam the menu is simple and straightforward. You can choose between a pita, salad, or a plate that has cauliflower, eggplant, or falafel on it. Regardless of what you order at this NYC falafel shop just know that the portions are generous and you’ll be leaving extremely full and satisfied.

The pita sandwiches are loaded with toppings and the falafel has a smooth interior with a crunchy exterior. Each bite is exploding with flavor and the pickled veggies add a refreshing crunch.

Address: 1108 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075